Jurassic World: On the trail of dinosaurs in Thailand

Over the years, Thailand’s lush landscapes and stunning scenery have been a frequent sight in films and television. From the 1974 James Bond classic, The Man with the Golden Gun, through to The Beach in 2000 and more recently, The White Lotus, and Alien: Earth. That rich cinematic history continues with the latest in the Jurassic Park franchise, Jurassic World: Rebirth, which premiered in July 2025. The dinosaur adventure was filmed in three southern Thai provinces: Krabi, Phang Nga and Trang. Select scenes were also shot in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

While the dinosaurs in the film may be digital, Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s richest palaeontological landscapes. Across northeast provinces like Chaiyaphum, Kalasin and Khon Kaen, fossil beds have unearthed remains dating back over 100 million years. Among the most remarkable finds is Siamraptor suwati, a newly identified predator and distant relative of Tyrannosaurus rex. Today, many of these discoveries can be explored in regional museums and even at open excavation sites, underscoring Thailand’s growing reputation as a hub for dinosaur research and discovery.

Location Thailand
Jurassic World: Rebirth underlines Thailand’s soft power and the country’s enduring appeal as a world-class filming destination. Filming brings huge economic benefits to the country, with millions of Baht generated and thousands of jobs created for Thai people. Showcasing Thailand in the movies also boosts tourism revenue thanks to the  ‘set-jetting’ effect, with visitors inspired to travel to the location sets seen on screen.

Thailand film locations for Jurassic World: Rebirth

Krabi

The dramatic limestone mountains, forests, and waterfalls in Krabi province provided the ideal backdrop for the dinosaur action. There is also a real link to the Jurassic period with Jurassic-era amber and the fossil of a sauropod (giant herbivores characterised by their long necks and long tails) unearthed in Krabi’s Khlong Thom District. The discovery suggests that sauropods may have roamed here. 

Ao Luek
Ao Luek district is located in the north of Krabi province, on the way to Phang Nga. The forests of Ao Luek (near Ban Ba Kan) were the setting for several scenes and chase sequences, while the limestone caves in central Ao Luek were used in many of the movie’s underground sequences. 

Khao Khanab Nam 
The imposing twin limestone mountains that frame the Krabi estuary and can be viewed from Krabi Town are prominent natural landmarks that can be spotted in the film. 

Khao Kram
Located close to Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, the palm plantations of Khao Kram were the setting for several shots. 

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park
Various shots were filmed at Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, with the multi-tiered waterfall at Huay To prominent amongst those. The jungle in the Thap Prik district was also used in some scenes. 

Khao Tong
Panoramic shots of the jungle and mountains were captured from the high vantage point in Khao Tong, marked on Google Maps as ATV Nature Viewpoint.

Khlong Root
The crystal-clear waters at Khlong Root are a popular location for kayaking, and the waterways and tropical vegetation make an appearance in the movie.

Railay Beach
Railay Beach is perhaps the most recognisable location featured in Jurassic World: Rebirth. The emerald waters, sandy beach and vertical cliffs of Railay can be seen in several aerial shots. 

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Phang Nga

The surreal seascape at Phang Nga Bay with its vertiginous karsts and rocky outcrops provided the ideal cinematic setting for the Jurassic action. This area is dotted with islands, caves, and hidden lagoons, and it doesn’t take much of a leap to imagine dinosaurs inhabiting this world. Among the locations that can be spotted in the movie are:

• Khao Ta Pu (which famously featured in The Man with the Golden Gun)
• Ko Hong
• Ko Kudu Yai
• Ko Naka 
• Ko Phanak 
• Ko Song Phi Nong 

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Trang

Compared to Krabi, the southern province of Trang is less well-known to most international tourists. This area is home to some of the most picturesque and untouched islands in the country and is ideal for anyone seeking to get away from the main tourist trail.

In the movie, Hat Chao Mai National Park is used in some scenes, with the stunning Ko Kradan and the island’s Sunset Beach also making an appearance. The hidden cave and lagoon at Tham Morakot (Emerald Cave) are another of Trang’s attractions that were used during filming.

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Thailand’s real-life dinosaur discoveries

While the Jurassic World locations may not be home to real dinosaurs, the Korat Plateau in Northeast Thailand was dinosaur territory and is now an important fossil site. Visitors who want to learn more about the dinosaur discoveries can travel to Khon Kaen, Kalasin and Chaiyaphum.

Khon Kaen

The first dinosaur fossils found in Thailand were unearthed in the 1970s at Phu Wiang in Khon Kaen province. Visitors can see the original fossils and other casts of other dinosaur finds at the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum, which is located around 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Khon Kaen city. Located within Phu Wiang National Park, there are also protected dig sites with walking trails for visitors to see different exhibits.  

Kalasin

Kalasin is the location of the Sirindhorn Dinosaur Museum, which features exhibits across eight themed zones that cover Earth’s history, dinosaur life, and Thailand’s prehistoric fauna. Nearby, the Phu Kum Khao Excavation Site is another important centre for research and education. This is Thailand’s largest known herbivorous dinosaur fossil site (around 120 million years old), and you can see real dig areas and excavation shelters.

Chaiyaphum

Chaiyaphum is another location where dinosaur fossils have been found. While there is no major museum like in Khon Kaen or Kalasin, it is still possible to visit some of the dig sites.

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Other locations

The northeast Isaan region is Thailand’s fossil heartland. In addition to the three provinces above, evidence of dinosaurs has also been discovered in Loei, Nakhon Ratchasima,  Nong Bua Lamphu and Ubon Ratchathani. In the north of the country,  ancient fossils have been found in Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok and Tak.

All of these discoveries are helping scientists reconstruct ancient ecosystems and understand dinosaur evolution in Southeast Asia. The fossils found in Thailand have resulted in the naming of new species, the opening of new museums, and an increased interest in Thailand’s dinosaur past.

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